• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-627093489508
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "new-zealand/queenstown-and-wanaka",
  "destination": "Queenstown-&-Wanaka",
  "title": "queenstown-wanaka",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "South-Island",
  "country": "New-Zealand",
  "continent": "Australia-&-Pacific",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Queenstown & Wanaka

New Zealand

New Zealand Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi is a fiord in the south west of New Zealand's South Island

©wootthisak nirongboot/Getty Images

Overview

Few people come to Queenstown to wind down. The self-styled 'adventure capital of the world' is a place where visitors come to throw their inhibitions out the window…and throw themselves out of planes and off mountain tops and bridges.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of Queenstown & Wanaka? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your New Zealand trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

New Zealand's North Island: 11 Days in Auckland and Rotorua

11 days / 10 nights

highlights

  1. 1Entering the world of Middle Earth on an immersive “The Lord of the Rings” Hobbiton set visit
  2. 2Ziplining through the treetops on a thrilling canopy tour
  3. 3Soaring over the thermal lakes and geothermal gems of Rotorua
from $6,500

per person

book this tripsee trip details

Explore more trips

  • New Zealand: 11 Days in Stargazing in Wairarapa
    New Zealand

    11 days / 10 nights

    New Zealand: 11 Days in Stargazing in Wairarapa

    FROM $6,500

    per person

    See Trip Details

Must-see attractions

Explore all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-908481228772
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "new-zealand/queenstown-and-wanaka",
  "destination": "Queenstown-&-Wanaka",
  "title": "queenstown-wanaka",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "South-Island",
  "country": "New-Zealand",
  "continent": "Australia-&-Pacific",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-329764021764
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "new-zealand/queenstown-and-wanaka",
  "destination": "Queenstown-&-Wanaka",
  "title": "queenstown-wanaka",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "South-Island",
  "country": "New-Zealand",
  "continent": "Australia-&-Pacific",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Queenstown & Wanaka

Queenstown & Wanaka and beyond

View all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-97775298168
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "new-zealand/queenstown-and-wanaka",
  "destination": "Queenstown-&-Wanaka",
  "title": "queenstown-wanaka",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "South-Island",
  "country": "New-Zealand",
  "continent": "Australia-&-Pacific",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}